the walk from fear to faith · the walk from fear to faith children’s lessons contents lesson...

The Walk from Fear to Faith

Children’s Lessons

Contents

LessonOne:TrustGod

Lesson Two: Sarah

Lesson Three: Miriam

Lesson Four: Rahab

Lesson Five: Widow of Zarephath

Lesson Six: Woman of Shunem

TRUST GOD WHEN YOU ARE AFRAID

—from “The Beginner’s Bible” page 64.

Everyday Women, Ever Faithful God | Children’s Lessons

BIBLE LESSON: Adapted from “The Visitors” from The Beginner’s Bible pages 46-51. Introduction:

What do you do at your house at night when it’s bedtime? (Allow responses) Do you feel alone in the dark? (Some will say yes) Do you remember having dreams while you sleep? (Probably yes) Did you know that God never sleeps? He watches over you and takes care of you all night long. You are never alone. In our story today, Jacob found out that God was with him even at night. Jacob had been mean to his father and brother. His brother was very angry. So, Jacob had to leave home and go to his uncle’s house far away. Jacob was alone, but on the way, God encouraged Jacob to trust Him even in the night. God spoke to Jacob in a dream. We find out what happened in Genesis 28 in the Bible. (Point to the various characters in the pictures as you read the lesson below.)

Bible Lesson:

Jacob traveled for many miles. His uncle Laban lived far away. One night, he lay on the ground, using a stone for his pillow. Jacob fell fast asleep. Jacob dreamed of a stairway to heaven. Angels walked up and down. God said, “I am watching over you, Jacob. Someday, all of this land will belong to you and your family.” The next morning, when Jacob woke up, he said, “The LORD is in this place!” He took his stone pillow and set it up as a reminder of his dream. Jacob praised God. Then he continued on his way.

Review questions:

ü What did Jacob use for a pillow? (A stone) ü What did he see in a dream? (A stairway with angels going up and down the stairway) ü Who spoke to Jacob in the dream? (God did, the Lord is another name for God) ü What did God promise Jacob? (God would be with him wherever he would go, would

give him land and children.) ü When Jacob woke up, did he remember his dream? (Yes.) ü Was he glad God promised to be with him and help him? (Yes) ü Do you think that Jacob decided he could trust God to be with him? (Yes) ü Who made the nighttime? (God) ü Does God sleep? (No) ü What does God do while you are asleep? (He watches over you, takes care of you)


LIFE APPLICATION ACTIVITY: Ask questions such as those below about nighttime activities to draw out their fears and their joys: ü What do you do at your house at night? (Let children respond) ü What is your favorite thing to do before you go to bed? (Read stories, pray, snuggle,

etc.) ü What do you see from your window at night? What is your bed like? Do you have a

night-light in your room? ü Sometimes children have a fear of darkness. Do you feel afraid in the dark? (Probably

yes) Remember that God never sleeps. He watches over us and takes care of us all night long. We are never alone. Isn’t that good news? (Yes)

ü Next time you are afraid in the dark, can you tell yourself, “I can trust God at night and not be afraid.” Let’s say that together, “I can trust God at night and not be afraid.”

PRAYER FOCUS:

Thank you, God, that I can trust you to watch over me all night long. Amen. HANDS-ON ACTIVITY: Trust in the Lord Hanger

Materials:

ü Foam rectangle – 1 per child ü Ribbon – 1 per child ü Card with caption, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart” Proverbs 3:5. (see at end of

lesson) ü Stick-on shiny stars; glow-in-the-dark stars ü Glue sticks (in classroom) ü Hole punch (in classroom)

Procedure: ü Hand each child a foam rectangle. ü Children glue the card with caption, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart” Proverbs 3:5 on

the foam. ü Children decorate the foam with stick-on stars. ü Teacher, punch two holes along top edge of foam. Help children thread ribbon through

holes and tie. ü Talk about learning to trust God even when you are alone in the dark. Trust God and not

be afraid. Hang this craft up in your room to remind you not to be afraid when you are alone in the dark.


GAMES: Angel Pass and Climb

Materials: ü Angel (paper or plastic) – 1 per class ü Music player

Procedure: ü Move tables and chairs out of the way ü Children sit in a circle. ü Teacher starts music and children pass the angel around the circle. ü Teacher stops music and whoever is holding the angel walks around the circle,

pretending to climb stairs. ü Child sits down and play continues. ü Talk about what God told Jacob during the night and how God takes care of you at night

whenever everyone else is sleeping.


Jacob’s Dream | Genesis 28:10-22 Memory verse: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart.” Proverbs 3:5

Lesson Focus: God encourages Jacob to trust Him when Jacob feels alone. Prayer Focus: Thank you, God, that I can trust you to watch over me all night long. Amen.

“God Cares for Jacob” from page 30 of Bible Stories to Color & Tell (Ages 6-8)

“Trust in the Lord with all

your heart.”

Proverbs 3:5


your heart.”

Proverbs 3:5


your heart.”

Proverbs 3:5


your heart.”

Proverbs 3:5


your heart.”

Proverbs 3:5


your heart.”

Proverbs 3:5

SARAH

—from “The Beginner’s Bible” pages 49-51.


BIBLE LESSON: Adapted from “The Visitors” from The Beginner’s Bible pages 46-51. Introduction:

Today, we are learning about Sarah and her husband Abraham. God called them to leave the city where they were living and to travel a long way to a new home. Sarah and Abraham obeyed God. God promised to Abraham that he would have lots of children and grandchildren. Well, many years have passed, and they still don’t have any children. Do you think God will keep his promise to give them a baby? (Yes) In today’s lesson, God keeps that promise. We find out what happened in Genesis chapter 18 in the Bible. (Point to the various characters in the pictures as you read the lesson below.)

Bible Lesson:

Abraham was sitting by his tent one very hot day. He looked up and saw three men standing nearby. He was happy to have visitors. He hurried to them and asked them to stay for dinner. Then Abraham ran to his tent. “Quick, Sarah,” he said. “Get some flour and bake some bread. We are having guests for dinner.” Sarah made a good dinner for them. While they were eating, the men said a very surprising thing. They said, “Next year you and Sarah will have a baby boy.” Now this was surprising because Abraham and Sarah did not have any children. And they were too old to have a baby. Sarah was listening in the tent. She heard what the men said. And she laughed. She did not believe them. Then God said, “Why did Sarah laugh? Is anything too hard for the Lord?” And God kept His promise. Even though Abraham and Sarah were old, God gave them a baby boy. They named him Isaac.

Review questions:

ü How many visitors did Abraham have? (Three) ü What did Abraham ask Sarah to do for them? (To get flour and bake some bread) ü While they were eating, what surprising thing did the men say to Abraham? (Next year,

they would have a baby boy.) ü Did Abraham and Sarah already have children? (No, they were too old.) ü When Sarah heard what the men said, what did she do? (She laughed.) ü Did God keep His promise? (Yes) ü Is anything too hard for God to do? (No.) ü What did Abraham and Sarah name their baby? (Isaac) ü Did you know that the name “Isaac” means “laughter?” (Probably not) ü God took care of the Israelites in a surprising, unexpected way. The people didn’t

understand how it would happen. But, they learned that God’s way is the best way.


LIFE APPLICATION ACTIVITY: It’s fun to laugh. Aren’t you glad gave you the ability to laugh and be happy? (Yes) The Bible tells us that Sarah laughed again when Isaac was born. Babies, like Isaac, bring laughter and joy to a family. You won’t remember when you were born, but someone remembers that day and looked at you and smiled and felt happy that you were part of their family. Isn’t it wonderful to be part of a family? (Yes) Talk about how fun it is to laugh with your family. Be thankful that God gave you a family.

PRAYER FOCUS:

Thank you, God, for the gift of babies and laughter. Amen. HANDS-ON ACTIVITY: Clay Baby

Materials:

ü Crayola Model Magic modeling material or other pliable material (homemade playdoh?) ü Small paper plate – 1 per child ü Square of fabric (6” x 6”) – 1 per child ü Washable markers (in classroom)

Procedure: ü Tell children that they are going to shape their clay to look like the baby from our story. ü Give each child a paper plate and a piece of clay about the size of his/her hand. ü Have them shape it like a baby and place on the paper plate. ü Use markers to draw a face, hair on baby’s head. ü Give the fabric to wrap around baby like a blanket. ü Write child’s name on the plate and set aside to dry. Tell the parents to let the clay air

dry for about 24 hours. ü Talk about how precious babies are, how babies love to smile and laugh, and how

everyone loves to smile at them and laugh with them. GAMES: Laughing Game

Materials: ü Sign with a laughing mouth on it

Procedure: ü Discuss: What did Sarah do when the three men told her she would have a child? (Sarah

laughed) Why did Sarah laugh? (She was too old to have a child) ü Did God keep his promise to Sarah and Abraham? (Yes!) ü We are going to pretend to be Sarah. We will pass around this “laughing mouth”. When

you have it, pretend you are Sarah when the men told her she would have a child. Laugh in any way you want.

ü Have children stand in a circle. Give the sign to one child. Child laughs in any way he/she chooses. Child passes sign to next person who laughs. Continue until sign has passed around circle.

ü Repeat with different “voices” as time allows (old man laugh, baby laugh, doggie laugh, etc.)


Sarah | Genesis 18, 21 Lesson Focus: God kept the promise He made to Sarah. God keeps His promises to you. Prayer Focus: Thank you, God, for the gift of babies and laughter. Amen.

“The birth of Isaac” Bible Stories to Color & Tell (Ages 6-8), p.23

MIRIAM

—from “The Beginner’s Bible” pages 94, 96, and 115.


BIBLE LESSON: Adapted from “A Baby in a Basket” and “The Red Sea” from The Beginner’s Bible pages 92-97, 111-115.

Introduction: Part of growing up is learning how to obey. As children, God wants you to learn to obey Him. The best way to learn how to obey God is to obey your mom and dad at home. In our story today, a mother and father chose to obey God even though it might cause them to get in trouble with a bad king. And, their daughter named Miriam obeyed God by obeying her mother and father. They all learned that it is a good thing to choose to obey even when it is hard to do. We find out what happened in Exodus chapter 2 in the Bible. (Point to the various characters in the pictures as you read the lesson below.)

Bible Lesson:

The people called the Israelites had been in Egypt for many years. The king did not like the Israelites. He made them work hard. One day, the king didn’t want the Israelites to have any more baby boys. Everyone say, “Bad king.” A woman named Jochebed had a baby boy. She wanted to keep him safe. At first she hid him in the house. One day, she made a basket. Then she gently laid her baby inside the basket and placed him in the river. Pretend to put a baby in a basket. The baby started to cry. Everyone pretend to cry. The king’s daughter saw the basket and opened it. She gently picked up the baby and hugged him. “I want to keep you,” the princess whispered. She named him Moses because she pulled him out of the water. Miriam, the baby’s big sister, had been watching nearby. Hold your hands above your eyes and pretend to be watching. She said to the princess, “I know a woman who can help you take care of the baby.” So Miriam ran to get her mother. Momma Jochebed was so happy! Everyone clap. When Moses was a young boy, Momma Jochebed took him to the princess. Moses grew up in the palace. Years later, Moses grew up and led his people the Israelites out of Egypt to go to the land God promised to them. God led them to the edge of the Red Sea. Then, God made the waters part so the people could cross on dry ground. After they got through, God closed the waters to stop the enemy soldiers who were chasing them. Moses and all the people were so happy for what God did for them. Miriam led the women in singing praises to God.

Review questions:

ü Did the king like the Israelite people? (No) ü What did the mother make for the baby? (A basket bed that was like a little boat) ü Where did the mother put the basket? (In the river) ü Who started to cry? (The baby) ü Who found the baby? (The king’s daughter, a princess) ü What name did the princess give to the baby? (Moses) ü Who was Miriam? (The big sister) ü What did Miriam say to the princess? (She knew a woman to help take care of the baby) ü Who did Miriam get to take care of the baby? (Her own mother who was also the baby’s

mother)


ü Do you think it was hard for the mother to try to hide her baby from the king? (Yes) The baby’s mother and father learned a good lesson—choose to obey even when it is hard to do.

ü Do you think it was hard for Miriam to follow the basket as it floated in the river? (Yes) Do you think it was hard for Miriam to go and talk to the princess? (Yes) Did Miriam learn that it is a good thing to obey your mother and father? (Yes)

ü Miriam obeyed her mother and learned a good lesson—choose to obey even when it is hard to do. Because they all obeyed, the baby was kept safe. Moses lived like a prince and years later was able to lead God’s people away from the bad king.

ü After God helped his people cross the Red Sea, what did Miriam do? (She led the women in singing praises to God.

ü God’s people learned that God’s way is the best way. LIFE APPLICATION ACTIVITY:

Materials: ü Activity page (Growing into a Life of Faith, Fall Quarter, lesson 8 KC1)

ü Stickers

Procedure and Discussion: ü GIVE each child an activity page. ü SAY, “Point to the picture of the house. We can obey God by listening to our moms

and dads. When your mom or dad tells you to brush your teeth, what should you do? (Go to brush your teeth.) Should you obey even when it is hard to do? (Yes) GIVE each child a sticker to put by the house picture and say, “When you listen to your parents, you are obeying God.”

ü SAY, “Point to the picture of the children playing. When you share, you are obeying God. When you are in our classroom here at church, and a teacher asks you to share your toys with another child, what should you do? (Share the toys.) Should you obey even when it is hard to do? (Yes) GIVE each child a sticker to put by the friends play-ing and say, “When you share, you are obeying God.”

ü SAY, “Point to the picture of the children eating a cookie. When you tell the truth, you are obeying God. Your mom said you should not eat a cookie, but you did eat it. If your mom asks if you ate the cookie, what should you say?” (I ate it. Tell the truth.) Should you obey God and tell the truth even when it is hard to do? (Yes) GIVE each child a sticker to put by the children eating a cookie and say, “When you tell the truth, you are obeying God.”

ü It is a good thing to choose to obey even when it is hard to do. PRAYER FOCUS:

Dear God, help me to choose to obey even when it is hard to do. Amen. HANDS-ON ACTIVITY: Baby in a Basket

Materials:


ü Cupcake liner – 1 per child ü Paper baby – 1 per child ü Fabric square for blanket – 1 per child ü Background picture (adapted from “Miriam and Moses,” Lesson 5 LG7 of Growing into a

Life of Faith) – 1 per child ü “Choose to obey even when it is hard to do” sticker – 1 per child

Procedure:

ü Children glue paper baby to bottom of cupcake liner. ü Glue fabric square on top of baby. ü Glue bottom of “basket” to background picture. ü Add the sticker to the picture. ü Talk about how Miriam obeyed her mother and saved her brother’s life.

GAMES: Tornado Tube Bottles

Materials:

ü Clear 1-liter or 2-liter bottles connected by “tornado tube connectors” (Hobby Lobby) — 2 for each activity o Fill 1 bottle (3/4 filled) with soapy water and connect to an empty bottle o Fill 1 bottle (3/4 filled) with blue water and connect to an empty bottle

Procedure: ü Children turn over the bottles. While holding onto the bottom one, they use their other

hand to move the top one in a circular motion to get the swirling started. ü Once it’s started, let go and watch. When the water has drained from the top bottle to the

bottom one, do it again. ü Talk about how Miriam saw God deliver her brother from the river, and she saw God part

the Red Sea to deliver all of His people from the enemy.


Life Application Activity Page


MIriam | Exodus 2, 15 Lesson Focus: It is good thing to choose to obey even when it is hard to do. Prayer Focus: Dear God, help me to choose to obey even when it is hard to do. Amen.

“Miriam and Moses” from Lesson 5 LG9 of Growing into a Life of Faith

RAHAB & THE BATTLE OF JERICHO

—from “The Beginner’s Bible” pages 132, 134-135.


BIBLE LESSON: Adapted from “The Battle of Jericho” from The Beginner’s Bible pages 132-135. Introduction:

Isn’t it fun to get a surprise, something totally unexpected? (Yes) Suppose your mom said, “Tonight, we’re going to eat ice cream for supper.” That would be a surprise, wouldn’t it? (Yes) Or, your dad said, “I’ve decided to cover the back yard with beach sand so you can make sand castles all day long.” That would be a surprise, wouldn’t it? (Yes!) God surprises us, too. Sometimes He gives us something totally unexpected—new friends, new toys, or new clothes. God likes to delight us with these surprise gifts. Joshua and the people of Israel were ready to go into the land God had promised to give to them. That wasn’t a surprise. But, they had to capture the first city—Jericho—so they could even enter the land. Jericho had very high walls. The soldiers thought about how hard they would have to fight just to bring down those walls and capture the city! God surprised Joshua and the people of Israel with a surprise gift—something totally unexpected. We find out what happened in Joshua chapter 6 in the Bible. (Point to the various characters in the pictures as you read the lesson below.)

Bible Lesson:

Show pictures. Joshua had sent two spies into Jericho to see how hard it would be to capture the city. While there, the spies found a woman named Rahab who believed that the God of Israel was the greatest God. She hid the spies from the enemy soldiers. When the spies left, they promised to rescue Rahab and her family. Rahab put a red ribbon in her window to let them know which house was hers. After the spies were safely home, God told Joshua, “March your army around Jericho with the priests blowing their horns. Do this once a day for six days. On the seventh day, have your army march around the city seven times. After the seventh time, everyone shout loudly.” Joshua did exactly as God said. The army marched around the city every day for 6 days. The priests blew their trumpets. On the seventh day, the army marched around the city 7 times with the priest blowing their horns. After the seventh time, the soldiers shouted as loudly as they could. When the people shouted on the seventh day, Joshua said, “God has given us Jericho.” And, He did just that. Then the great walls of Jericho came tumbling down! The Israelite army rushed in and took over the city. The spies kept their promise to Rahab. They found her house. Rahab and her whole family were saved!

Review questions: ü What was the name of the first city the Israelites had to capture? (Jericho) ü Could they just walk right in? (No, Jericho had a really big wall all around it.) ü What did God tell Joshua to do? (God told Joshua to march the army around the city one

time each day for six days. On the seventh day after they marched around the priests should blow their trumpets/horns and all the people should shout.)

ü Did Joshua obey? (Joshua obeyed!) ü Who blew the trumpets? (The priests) Who shouted? (The soldiers) ü What happened? (The walls of Jericho fell down. God had given the Hebrew people this

city. He kept His promise.) ü Did the two men who had been spies keep their promise to Rahab? (Yes) ü How? (They found Rahab; she and her family were saved.) ü Rahab learned that God’s way is the best way.


LIFE APPLICATION ACTIVITY: Talk about approaching life God’s way as the best way in a child’s life—obeying parents rather than fighting against them, helping one another rather than not wanting to help, sharing rather than being selfish, saying thank you rather than not being thankful, fighting with a sibling rather than choosing not to fight, saying nice words rather than hurtful or unkind words, etc. After each example discussed, lead children to say, “God’s way is the best way.”

PRAYER FOCUS:

God, your way is the best way. Help me to remember that every day. Amen. HANDS-ON ACTIVITY: Walls of Jericho

Materials: ü Magic Nuudles, packing peanuts or pasta ü Construction paper or plastic plate ü Damp paper towels if using Magic Nuudles ü Red yarn or ribbon (6”) – 1 per child ü Glue sticks

Procedure:

ü If using Magic Nuudles, show children how to press the Magic Nuudles onto the damp paper towel to wet the edge and stick it to another Nuuddle to build the walls of Jericho in the plate or the outline of Jericho on construction paper. Children can build the walls, knock them down, and build them up again repeatedly by just sticking the Nuudles together again.

ü If using Styrofoam packing peanuts, assemble the walls or outline of Jericho with glue. ü Tape yarn/ribbon to a spot on the yarn to represent Rahab’s house. ü Children can also use individual Nuudles or packing peanuts to represent Israelites

marching around the walls. ü Put child’s name on their creation. ü Say: In our Bible story, God took care of the Israelites in a surprising, unexpected way. The

people didn’t understand how it would happen. But, they obeyed God’s directions and learned that God’s way is the best way.

GAMES: Joshua and the Battle of Jericho Activity

Materials: ü Large blocks or bricks ü Doll to represent Rahab Procedure:

ü Stack blocks to make a wall. Rahab is watching over/through the wall. Say: Let’s act out our Bible lesson today.

ü God asked Joshua and the Israelites to go to a place that had a very big wall. It was the biggest wall anyone had ever seen. Kind of like this wall, but much bigger. Point to the “wall” of stacked boxes and look up as if it extends way past the ceiling.


ü God told Joshua and the Israelites to march around the wall one time every day for how many days? (7) Let’s all count to seven together. Ready? Hold up fingers while counting. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven. Seven days.

ü Let’s pretend this is the wall that Joshua and the Israelites marched around. Everyone march in a circle around the wall. As we march, hold up the number of fingers that matches the day: one finger for day one, two fingers for day two, and so on.

ü Day one! Let’s march, march, march around the wall. Everyone march around the wall. Nighttime, time to rest. Everyone pretend to sleep.

ü Wake up! Day two! Let’s march, march, march around the wall. Everyone march around the wall. Nighttime, time to rest. Everyone pretend to sleep.

ü Day three! Let’s march, march, march around the wall. Everyone march around the wall. Nighttime, time to rest. Everyone pretend to sleep.

ü Day four! Let’s march, march, march around the wall. Everyone march around the wall. Nighttime, time to rest. Everyone pretend to sleep.

ü Day five! Let’s march, march, march around the wall. Everyone march around the wall. Nighttime, time to rest. Everyone pretend to sleep.

ü Day six! Let’s march, march, march around the wall. Everyone march around the wall. Nighttime, time to rest. Everyone pretend to sleep.

ü Day seven! What did God tell Joshua and the Israelites to do? (March around the wall seven more times) Did they obey God? Yes.

ü Let’s march, march, march around the wall 7 times. Everyone march around the wall 7 times. God told them to blow their trumpets and shout. Use your hands to make a pretend trumpet and blow. Then shout at the wall. Everyone stop! Push the wall down. Clap hands and say, “Yay, God!” Rescue Rahab.

Discussion:

ü God took care of the Israelites in a surprising, unexpected way. The people didn’t understand how it would happen. But, they learned that God’s way is the best way.


Rahab | Joshua 2, 6 Lesson Focus: Rahab chose to believe that God is the greatest. Prayer Focus: God, your way is the best way. Help me to remember that every day. Amen.

“The walls of Jericho fall down” from Bible Story Coloring Pages, p. 63.

WIDOW OF ZAREPHATH

—from “The Beginner’s Bible” pages 206-208.


BIBLE LESSON: “Elijah Helps a Widow” from The Beginner’s Bible pages 206-208. Introduction:

God wanted his people to be good to those who couldn’t take care of themselves easily. This includes people who were very sick, children who had no father and mother, and women who were called widows. A widow is a woman who has no husband. She has to take care of her family without a husband to help her. Widows were usually very poor. God promises to help widows when they need help. Our lesson today is about three people who needed help—Elijah, a widow, and her little boy. They were hungry and out of food to eat. Do you think they could trust God to help them? (Yes) We find out what happened in 1 Kings chapter 17 in the Bible. (Point to the various characters in the pictures as you read the lesson below.)

Bible Lesson:

God told Elijah to go to a nearby town. There he would find a woman who would take care of him. When Elijah arrived, he saw a widow gathering sticks. He asked her for some water and bread. The woman said, “I only have a little flour in a jar. I have a little oil in a jug. I was going to make some bread for my son and me. It is all we have.” Elijah replied, “Don’t be afraid. Make me some bread first. Then make some for you and your son. God will not let the jar of flour be empty. He will not let the jug run out of oil.” The woman poured him some water and made him some bread. Because she took care of Elijah, God took care of her. Her jar of flour was not used up. He jug of oil was never empty. So there was food for her family every day. Elijah stayed at her house. And she shared her food with Elijah.

Review questions: ü Where did God tell Elijah to go? (Go to a nearby town) ü Who would take care of him? (A woman) ü What is a widow? (A woman who has no husband) ü What was the widow doing when Elijah saw her? (Gathering sticks) ü What did Elijah ask her to give him? (Some water and bread) ü How did the widow answer him? (Only have a little flour and oil) ü What did Elijah tell her next? (Don’t be afraid, make me some bread first, then some for

her family, God will not let your flour or oil get empty) ü Did the widow give food to Elijah? (Yes) ü Did God do what Elijah promised? (Yes) ü How? (Jar of flour not used up, jug of oil never empty) ü God was good to three people—Elijah, the mother and her son. They learned that they

can trust God to help them when they needed help because God is good all the time. One way God does this is when His people share with one another. The widow trusted God so she shared with Elijah and with her son. All three had plenty to eat.


LIFE APPLICATION ACTIVITY: God is good all the time. Talk about how you can trust Him to help you when you need help sometimes through other people sharing what they have with you. Talk about trusting God enough to share what you have with someone who doesn’t have what they need.

PRAYER FOCUS:

Dear Jesus, help me learn how to trust You to help me when I need help and to share with others who don’t have what they need. Amen.

HANDS-ON ACTIVITY: Clay Jars or Bowls

Materials:

ü Crayola Model Magic or other pliable material (homemade playdoh) ü Marker Procedure:

ü Give each child a ball of dough. ü Show children how to roll the dough into a ball. ü Show how to press two thumbs down in the top center of the ball, and then keep pulling

the sides up to make a hollow well in the center and then shape into a jar or a bowl. Choose what works best for your group.

ü Use a permanent marker to write the child’s name on the bottom of their creation. ü Let the jar/bowls dry and take home. Once dry, Model Magic can be colored with

crayons or markers. ü Discuss what the jar/bowl could be used for at home. (Holding paper clips, buttons,

pennies, etc.) GAMES: Filling the Oil Jars (adapted from “I Help” plan folder page 2)

Materials: ü Paper cups (at least one per student) ü Pitcher

Procedure:

ü Give each child a cup ü Remind the children of the widow’s problem and what Elijah told her to do. ü Teacher pretends to pour oil from your pitcher into the cups of the first two children. ü Say, "That's all the oil I have," Then look at the pitcher and exclaim, "No, There's more!"

Continue until all the cups are full. ü Talk about how oil was needed to make bread. It was mixed with flour then baked in a

brick oven.


God Helps a Widow | 1 Kings 17:8-16 Lesson Focus: We can trust God to help us when we need help Prayer Focus: Dear Jesus, help me learn how to trust You to help me when I need help and to

share with others who don’t have what they need. Amen.

“ElijahHelpsaWidow”BibleStoriestoColor&Tell(ages3-6)¨,page89

WOMAN OF SHUNEM

—from “The Beginner’s Bible” pages 226-227, 229.


BIBLE LESSON: “Elisha’s Room” from The Beginner’s Bible pages 226-229 Introduction:

Do you have visitors come and stay at your house? What special things do you do for your guests? Do you sometimes give up your room so they can have a place to sleep? Inviting people to stay with you and treating them kindly while they are staying with you is called hospitality. Our story today is about a woman who was very kind to one of God’s prophets. His name is Elisha. We don’t know her name. But, her story is found in 2 Kings chapter 4 in the Bible. (Point to the various characters in the pictures as you read the lesson below.)

Bible Lesson:

Elisha often traveled from one place to another, teaching people to love and serve the true God. One day he came to the town of Shunem. He became friends with a nice woman and her husband who lived there. The woman invited Elisha and his servant to stay for dinner. From that time on, Elisha stopped at her home whenever he came to Shunem. There Elisha and his servant rested, and the woman prepared food for them. One evening, while Elisha was visiting, the couple surprised him. They said, “We built a room on our house just for you.” They showed him the room. They had put a table, a lamp, a bed, and a chair in the room. Elisha could rest in his room whenever he wished. Elisha was so thankful for his friends. He prayed for them to be happy and that they would have a baby. Elisha said to the woman, “A year from now you will have a child.” Sure enough, a year later God gave them a beautiful baby boy.

Review questions: ü What was Elisha teaching the people? (To love and sere the true God) ü What town did he often visit? (Shunem) ü Who invited Elisha and his servant to eat? (A woman of Shunem) ü Were they kind enough to Elisha so he wanted to stay there again? (Yes) ü With what did the woman and her husband surprise Elisha one evening? (With his own

room) ü What were some things that were placed in Elisha’s room? (A table, lamp, bed and

chair) ü Did Elisha like his new room? (Yes) ü What promise did Elisha make to the woman? (She would have a baby in a year’s time.) ü Did God do what Elisha promised? (Yes) ü The woman of Shunem and her husband showed kindness to Elisha every time he

visited. Elisha showed his thankfulness by asking God to give them a baby.


LIFE APPLICATION ACTIVITY: How can you be kind to people who are visiting you in your house? Let them think of all the ways they can help get the house ready for company, how they can share what they have with their guests, how they can make their guests feel loved and at home, and how they can enjoy their guests.

PRAYER FOCUS:

Dear Jesus, help me to be kind to others who are visiting in my house. Amen. HANDS-ON ACTIVITY: Elisha’s Room

Materials:

ü Picture of house ü Brown construction paper pieces (small squares for bricks) ü Pictures of table, chair, lamp and bed ü Crayons and markers ü Scissors ü Glue sticks Procedure:

ü Children decorate the front of the house with brown paper “bricks.” ü Children color pictures of table, chair, lamp and bed. Cut apart. ü Turn over house to the back side. Children glue the table, chair, lamp and bed to the top

part of the house as Elisha’s room. ü Discuss all the work the woman and her husband did to make this room comfortable for

Elisha. GAMES: Prepare for Visitors

Materials: ü Chairs, pillows, carpet squares, blankets ü Cups, plates

Procedure:

ü Have the children set up an area for guests. They can either use a table or do it picnic style. Select someone to be the guests. Take turns being the host.

ü Encourage the children to make their guests feel comfortable. ü Talk about how God wants us to welcome people into our homes and be kind to them

when they are staying with us.


Woman of Shunem | 2 Kings 4:8-17 Lesson Focus: Be kind to people who are visiting you in your house. Prayer Focus: Dear Jesus, help me to be kind to others who are visiting in my house. Amen.

“Elisha&theShunammiteWoman”fromwww.silk.net/RelEd/PDF/Curr105_2.pdf.

the walk from fear to faith · the walk from fear to faith children’s lessons contents lesson...

Documents